The Secret Life of Bees NYC Reviews and Tickets

84%

(181 Ratings)

Positive

97%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Absorbing, Entertaining, Relevant, Great acting

About the Show

Based on the best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, Atlantic's world premiere musical comes from the creative team that brought you "Sweat," "Spring Awakening," "Working," and "Fun Home."

South Carolina, 1964. Lily Owens, a restless white teenager, struggles with her merciless father and the haunting memory of her mother’s death. When Rosaleen, her black caregiver, is beaten and jailed for asserting her right to vote, Lily’s rebellious spirit is ignited. She and Rosaleen escape on an adventure where they are taken in by a trio of black beekeeping sisters. While Lily tries to unlock the secrets of her past, she and Rosaleen find solace in the mesmerizing world of bees and spirituality in this extraordinary tale of awakening, fellowship, and healing.

Show-Score Member Reviews (181)

Great acting, Romantic, Slow, Resonant, Great singing

See it if You want to hear some of the best vocals in NYC. The acting is also quite good and I was engaged.

Don't see it if You want a big musical and if you don't do well with the topic of racial injustice.

Solid, Vibrant, Lacking, Uneven, Energetic

See it if You like stripped down show with high and low points and a few strong performances and song numbers that will probably win a lot of awards

Don't see it if You aren't into musical theater that relies on and champions exotic cult christianity or a weak lead ruins the whole thing for you. Read more

Absorbing, Entertaining, Quirky, Thought-provoking, Great singing

See it if You love quiet musicals, are interested in exploring the personal fallout of the civil rights violence of the 1960s

Don't see it if You prefer big, glitzy, happy musicals

Delightful, Clever, Absorbing

See it if you love a great story and innovative music

Don't see it if you don't want a serious plot

Entertaining, Disappointing, Great writing, Great singing, Ambitious

See it if You love Lynn Nottage, Duncan Sheik, the novel, or LaChanze. It’s an excellent production. Nottage’s book was spectacular, Sheik’s score ok.

Don't see it if You’re looking for the book and score to come together into something mesmerizing. Very watchable—my husband was crying at the end.

Intense, Long, Relevant, Great singing, Absorbing

See it if you like dark subj matter musicals. Here, trauma pervades, altho moments of joy. Talented cast belts out gd songs (music/lyrics). Barebones.

Don't see it if you need a big prodn or dislike civil rts. Or you dislike idol worship of Mary statue, drenched in honey. Or you dislike heavy mic'ing. Read more

Thought-provoking, Great singing, Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if you want to see a well done musical adaptation of the book. You like great music, singing and a poignant story.

Don't see it if You like traditional musicals, or straight plays.

Cliched, Great singing

See it if A hive of intelligent, giving Black women heals an abused white girl. The Queen Bee's (LaChanze) singing is healing for audience, too. ❤️

Don't see it if 2001 novel didn't age well: Magical Negro/Black girl magic saves white girl protagonist, The Help-ish, she Huck Finns her Black servant. Read more

Critic Reviews (27)

Trailer

Creative team

Atlantic Theater Company